cook off

(literally) To eliminate by cooking.

(transitive, liquor) To heat alcohol in preparation for distilling liquor.

(transitive, US, military) To pull the pin from a grenade and wait two or three seconds before throwing.

(transitive, US, military) As above, except to unintentionally wait so long that the grenade detonates.

(transitive, chemistry, military) To cause an accidental detonation of explosives due to excess heat.

(intransitive, chemistry, military, of explosives) To accidentally detonate as the result of excess heat.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see cook, off.